Pointing device

ABSTRACT

A pointing device which can be operated by a disabled person with a declined muscular strength, even when the person lies in a bed, to move a cursor and make a click separately not only by one hand but also by a body portion having a motor function with a light touch without any complex movement and large motion, and which does not need any operation area. The device comprises a flat cursor-moving switch for moving a cursor, a ring-shaped clicking switch for making a right click and a left click, a cloth sheet which is detachably attached to the rear of the cursor-moving switch if necessary and spread on the place where the cursor-moving switch is operated to enable the installation of the cursor-moving switch on a place other than a flat surface, a controller which measures the direction and distance of the movement of the cursor made by the operation of the cursor-moving switch, detects the click made by the operation of the clicking switch, and transmits the data thereon, and cables and connectors with which the controller, the switches and a personal computer are connected to each other. The cursor-moving switch has a structure in which the operation button is returned to the center automatically when not used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present-invention relates to a pointing device used for a varisty ofcomputers, more particularly relates to a pointing device operable witha considerably light momentum for example, lying in bed, and especiallyuseful for disabled people with limited motor function in hands orfingers such as muscular dystrophy.

A mouse has been conventionally used as a pointing device for moving acursor and making a click on computers and the like. The mouse is slidon a desk and the like so as to rotate a ball included in its bottomportion to detect its moving distance or direction according to therotation of the ball. A track ball has been also used as a pointingdevice. The track ball is rotated by fingers or the like to detect itsmoving distance or direction. Another example of a pointing device is ajoy stick provided with switches corresponding to moving directions tobe decided a moving distance by its compression (push down) time.

FIG. 15 is an outside drawing as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-openPublication 6-259186 to depict a conventional pointing device operablewith a light momentum. In FIG. 15, the reference numeral 41 designates ahemisphere operating portion operable with hands, 42 is a switchcompressible by fingers or the like simultaneously with the operation ofthe operating portion 41, the numeral 43 depicts a body for detectingthe moving direction and distance of the operating portion 41, and 44 isa cable to transmit data.

Now, in operation, the operating portion 41 is held by a palm so as tobe enclosed by the palm, and the switch is touched by fingers. Thenswitch 42 is compressed, together with moving the operating portion 41at a time so as to slide the operating portion 41 on the body 43. Thus,an operated change of the operating portion 41 is detected withoutmoving the body 43 so as to transmit the change, and the pointingoperation is completed.

As mentioned above, since an usual mouse as a conventional pointingdevice needs to rotate the ball included in its bottom by sliding thebody on a desk or the like, a problem arises in that this mouse needstoo much momentum for a disabled or crippled person with limited motorfunction in hands or fingers such as muscular dystrophy to operate apointing device. When a user lies in bed, a place where the user's handor finger is laid on is a rugged, irregular or non-flat surface, it maybe difficult to use a mouse thereon. Further, another problem stillremains that moving a cursor and operating a click should be carried outwith only one hand. As to other pointing devices such as a track balland a joy stick, another problem remains that a certain force isnecessary to operate a cursor to move and a click button to activate.Like a mouse, it may be difficult for the lying user to keep suchpointing devices stable on the place where the user's hand or finger islaid on. As for the conventional pointing device as shown in theJapanese Patent Laid-open Publication 6-259186, it is difficult for adisabled person with limited motor function in hands or fingers to holdan operating portion so as to enclose the operating portion by his orher palm. Further, similar to the conventional mouse, a problem stillremains in this device that moving a cursor and making a click should becarried out with only one hand. Similar to such pointing devices such asa track ball, a joy stick, it may be difficult for the lying user tokeep the conventional pointing devices stable on the place where theuser's hand or finger is laid on; and

As mentioned above, it has been substantially impossible for a disabledor crippled person lying in bed with limited motor function in hands orfingers such as muscular dystrophy to use and operate a conventionalpointing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Then, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pointingdevice which can be operated by a disabled person with a declinedmuscular strength, even if, the person lies in bed, to move a cursor andmake a click separately not only by one hand but also by a body portionor regions having a motor function with a light touch, i.e. without anycomplex movement and large motion, and which does not need any operationarea.

The present invention comprises:

a flat cursor-moving switch for moving a cursor;

a band-shaped clicking switch for making a right click and a left clickand the like;

a detachable cloth sheet which is attached to the rear of thecursor-moving switch and spread on the place where the cursor-movingswitch is operated to enable the installation of the cursor-movingswitch on a place other than a flat surface;

a controller which measures the direction and distance of the movementof the cursor made by the operation of the cursor-moving switch, detectsthe click made by the operation of the clicking switch, and transmitsthe data thereon; and,

cables and connectors with which the controller, the switches and apersonal computer are connected to each other;

wherein the cursor-moving switch has a structure in which the operationelectrode is automatically returned to the center when not used,

The present invention also comprises:

a flat cursor-moving switch for moving a cursor;

a band-shaped clicking switch for making a right click and a left click;

a controller which measures the direction and distance of the movementof the cursor made by the operation of the cursor-moving switch, detectsthe click made by the operation of the clicking switch, and transmitsthe data to a personal computer thereon; and,

cables and connectors with which the controller, the switches and thepersonal computer are connected to each other;

wherein the cursor-moving switch has a structure in which the operationbutton i.e. the operation electrode is automatically returned to thecenter position when not used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outside view illustrating a pointing device according toone preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a side elevation of thecursor-moving switch as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cursor-moving switch as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a plan view and a perspective view showing anexample of elastic member as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a method for detecting an operatedvalue as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an outside view illustrating a pointing device utilizinganother preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is also an outside view illustrating a pointing device utilizinganother preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are a plan view and a side elevation of thecursor-moving switch as shown in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) are an inner construction view and a sectional sideelevation of the cursor-moving switch as shown in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) are arrangement views of the elastic member usedin the cursor-moving switch as shown in FIG. 7 to explain theconfiguration thereof.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a method for detecting an operatedvalue of the pointing device as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a connection diagram showing an example of clicking switchaccording to the present invention.

FIGS. 13(A), 13(B) and 13(C) are connection diagrams showing anotherexample of clicking switch according to the present invention.

FIGS. 14(A) and 14(B) are an outside view and a block diagram showinganother embodiment of the pointing device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is an outside view of a conventional pointing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a pointing device of the present invention, a cursor-moving operationand a click operation are separated and applied to different switches,if necessary, with a cloth sheet. It is useful for its user to providethe cloth sheet which is attached to the rear of the cursor-movingswitch and spread on the place where the cursor-moving switch isoperated to enable the installation of the cursor-moving switch on aplace. Furthermore, it is able to decline the operated volume of itsuser, by providing the cursor-moving switch with a structure in whichthe operation button is automatically returned to the center positionwhen not used.

Now referring to the drawings, one embodiment of the present inventionwill be described below.

FIG. 1 is an outside view illustrating a pointing device according toone preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, thereference numeral 1 depicts a cursor-moving switch, numeral 2 depictsclicking switches for inputting menus and coordinates designated with acursor, and a right click-button and a left click-button are mounted atthe clicking switches respectively.

The numeral 3 is a cloth sheet which is attached to the rear of thecursor-moving switch and the cloth sheet 3 is spread on a requestedplace where the cursor-moving switch should be installed.

The numeral 4 is a controller which measures the direction and distanceof the movement of the cursor made by the operation of the cursor-movingswitch 1, detects the clicks made by the operation of the clickingswitches 2, and transmits the data thereon, and the numeral 5 is a cableto connect the cursor-moving switch 1 to the controller 4. The numeral 6designates cables to connect the clicking switches 2 to the controller4. The numeral, 7 designates a cable to connect the controller 4 to amouse input terminal of a personal computer.

The pointing device; which is one embodiment of the present invention asdescribed above, is operable keeping user's palm at a level by makingthe cursor-moving switch flat. Further, since switches are separatedinto the cursor-moving switch 1 and the clicking switches 2, anoperation may be carried out not only by one hand but also by any bodyportion that is movable. Each clicking switch 2 has a touch switch.operable with a light touch, utilizing induced voltage by commercialpower supply. Each clicking switch 2 is band-shaped, and an overlappingportion of the band is fastened with a fastening member such asMAGIC-TAPE (Registered Trademark in Japan; a type of fastening tapehaving a lot of small hooks thereon) which is easily detachable andadjustable in size according to the size of wearing portion.

Since a service space or place to be used for a pointing device maybenot only a desk-top but also user's knee, lap and a top of bed where anoperable body portion such as a finger is naturally laid on, and sincethe service space depends on the user, the rear of the cursor-movingswitch 1 is attached to the cloth sheet 3 to install the switch 1 byspreading the sheet 3 on the user's body, bed, FUTON (a type of duvet orbedspread) or the like. The cloth sheet 3 stabilizes the switch 1, evenit the service space or place where user's hand or finger is laid is arugged, irregular or non-flat surface. The cloth sheet 3 is not integralto the cursor-moving switch 1, but is detachable from the cursor-movingswitch 1. The size of the cloth sheet may preferably be that of ahandkerchief, and the material thereof may be as flexible andnon-slippery as denims.

FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) show a plan view (FIG. 2(A)) and a side elevation(FIG. 2(B)) of the cursor-moving switch 1 of one embodiment of thepointing device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows across-sectional view of the cursor-moving switch 1 of one embodiment ofthe pointing device according to the present invention. FIGS. 4 show aplan view and a perspective view showing a spiral or volute spring as anexample of the elastic member which is used for the cursor-moving switch1. The cursor-moving switch 1 has an input electrode 13, an operationelectrode 10 and direction electrodes 11 on its substrate 14, and formedflatly.

At the upper part, an operating portion 8 is mounted and a holdingmember 9 is also provided to prevent the operation electrode 10, movablehorizontally, from removing. The operation electrode 10 is in contactwith the input electrode 13 and returned to the center automatically bythe volute spring 15 mounted at the bottom of the switch, when not used.When the operation electrode 10 is slid in the desired direction of thecursor to move by laying user's hand or finger on,the operating portion8, an electrical short-circuit between the direction electrode 11 andthe input electrode 13 is made by bringing the operation electrode 10into contact with the direction electrode 11 which is connected to theinput terminal of the controller 4, so as to transmit an input signal tothe input terminal of a one-chip micro-computer included in thecontroller 4 via the cable 5. Based on the input signal the controller 4outputs output pulses corresponding to the moving direction to thepersonal computer.

For the cursor-moving switch 1, the operation electrode 10 is broughtinto contact with the direction electrode 11 by sliding the operatingportion 8, then the input electrode 13 and the direction electrode 11are electrically conducted through the operation electrode 10. Since theinput signal is inputted into the controller 4, the cursor is simplystopped by sliding the operating portion 8 so as to disengage theoperation electrode 10 from the direction electrode 11 when user's handor finger is laid on the operating portion 8. When the user's hand orfinger is detached from the operating portion 8 the cursor is stopped,because the operating portion a and the operation electrode 10 arereturned to the center position by the force of a spring 15 to disengagethe direction electrode 11 from the input electrode 13.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram to explain a detecting method for detecting amoving direction and a moving distance inputted from the cursor-movingswitch 1 and a click signal inputted from the clicking switch 2. Asdescribed above, the clicking switch 2 has a touch switch utilizinginduced voltage by commercial power supply. When user's hand or fingertouches the electrode portion of the clicking switch 2, the controller 4detects the click signal. The moving direction and distance of thecursor are found with the controller 4 by detecting the contact of theoperation electrode 10 with four direction electrodes 11-1 to 11-4 whichare located above, to the right; below, and to the left.

For example, when the operation electrode 10 is brought into contactwith the upper direction electrode 11-1, the cursor moves upward. Whenthe operation electrode 10 is brought into contact with both the upperdirection electrode 11-1 and right direction electrode 11-2 at the sametime, the cursor moves in an oblique direction of above and right. Whilea direction electrode and the operation electrode are in contact witheach other, the cursor keeps moving, and stops upon disconnection of thecontact between them. The operating stroke required to start moving thecursor may be determined by the distance or gap between the operationelectrode 10 and the direction electrode 11. In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the operating stroke may be 0.75 mm, and therequired operation pressure may be 10 and a few grams, thus theoperation is carried out with a very little momentum.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the cursor-moving switch 1 is provided withthe input electrode 13 disposed on the flat substrate 14, the operationelectrode 10 horizontally slidable on a surface of the input electrode13, the direction electrodes 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 and 11-4 opposinglydisposed at two orthogonal axes on the substrate 14 through insulatingmaterial 12, and the elastic member 15 to keep the center of theoperation electrode 10 at the crossing center position P of the twoorthogonal axes, thereby keeping the center of the operation electrode10 at the crossing center position P when not used.

The elastic member 15 is made of, for example, a flat volute spring asshown in FIG. 4. Its periphery is fixed at the switch substrate 14 andits center portion is movable horizontally. A coupling pin 15 aprojected from the center portion is engaged with the center of theoperation electrode 10. Therefore, the operation electrode 10 can bemoved horizontally in any direction, and returned to the center positionif the user release his or her hands (that is, when not used).

FIG. 6 depicts a pointing device of another preferred embodimentaccording to the present invention. In this embodiment, a relay box 16is disposed between the clicking switch 2 and the controller 4, therebyeasily connecting a conventional micro switch, a respiration switch (notshown in PIG. 6) operated by aspiration or expiration with mouth on, apressure-sensitive switch 17 operable with foot, elbow etc. on and othervarious switches thereto.

FIG. 7 is also an outside view illustrating a pointing device utilizinganother a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring nowto FIG. 7, the reference numeral 21 depicts a cursor-moving switch formoving a cursor. Numeral 22 depicts clicking switches for inputtingmenus and coordinates designated with a cursor, where the clickingswitch 22 is provided with two switches for making a left click and aright click respectively. Reference numeral 23 is a detachable clothsheet attached to the cursor-moving switch 21 as needed. The cloth sheet23 is spread on a place where the user wants to install thecursor-moving switch 21. Numeral 24 depicts a controller for measuringthe direction and distance of movement made by operating thecursor-moving switch 21, for detecting a click signal made by operatingthe clicking switch 22 and for transmitting transmit the data to apersonal computer. Numeral 25 is a cable to connect the cursor-movingswitch 21 to the controller 24. Reference numeral 26 depicts a cable toconnect the clicking switches 22 to the controller 24, and referencenumeral 27 is a cable to connect a mouse-input terminal of the personalcomputer to the controller 24.

In the pointing device as constructed above, the cursor-moving switch 21is made flat to be operated by keeping user's palm flat or at a level.Further, the switches are separately provided with, for cursor-movingand clicking, to enable to be operated not only by one hand but also byother movable body portions, such as other hand and fingers, foot toesand the like.

The clicking switch 22 is provided with a touch switch utilizing inducedvoltage by commercial power supply to be easily operated with a lighttouch. The band-shaped, and an overlapping portion of the band isfastened with the aforementioned tape to be detachably fastened in orderto be fitted on user's finger according to its size.

The service space or place for a pointing device may be not only adesk-top but also user's knee or lap or a top of bed where an operablebody portion such as a finger is naturally laid on, and the servicespace may change according to the user. The rear of the cursor-movingswitch 21 is attached to the cloth sheet 23 to install the switch 21 byspreading the cloth sheet with the switch on the user's body, bed, FUTON(a type of duvet or bedspread) or the like. The cloth sheet 23stabilizes the switch 21, even if the service space or place whereuser's hand or finger is laid is a rugged, irregular or non-flatsurface. The cloth sheet 23 is not integral to the cursor-moving switch21, but is detachable from the cursor-moving switch 21. The size of thecloth sheet may preferably be that of a handkerchief, and the materialthereof may be as flexible and non-slippery as denims.

FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are a plan view (FIG. 8(A)) and a side elevation(FIG. 8(B)) of the cursor-moving switch 21 as shown in FIG. 7. FIGS.9(A) and 9(B) are an inner construction view (FIG. 9(A)) and a sectionalside elevation (FIG. 9(B)) of the cursor-moving switch 21. FIGS. 10(A)and 10(B) depict an arrangement view of coil spring 32, when theoperation button is not used (FIG. 10(A)), and another arrangement viewof the coil spring 32, when the operation button is operated (FIG.10(B)), as an example of the elastic member used for the cursor-movingswitch 21. The cursor-moving switch 21 is, as shown in FIGS. 9, providedwith an operation button 28 horizontally movable or slidable on asubstrate or a flat base plate 30, four optical devices 31 operable asdetecting elements of the operating direction opposingly disposed at twoorthogonal axes (X-X, Y-Y), a cable 25 and inner wiring 25 a to connectthe cursor-moving switch 21 to the controller 24, an elastic member 32to keep the center of the operation electrode 28 at the crossing centerposition P of the two orthogonal axes (X-X, Y-Y), and a top lid 29 toprotect an inner circuit and to prevent the operation button 28 fromremoving.

The elastic member 32 is made of a.g. a coil spring as shown in FIG. 10.Its one end is fixed at the bottom plate 30, and the other end isengaged with a central bottom of the operation button 28.

The coil spring 32 is straightened up in its shape, and the center ofthe operation button 28 is held at the center position P of the two axesas shown in FIG. 10(A) when not used.

When the user's hand or a finger is laid on the operation button 28 toslide the operation button 28 in a direction which the user wants tomove the cursor, the center P of the operation button 28 horizontallymoves to another point P′, as shown in FIG. 10(B), and the coil spring32 is changed in shape, thereby causing restoring force (operationpressure) to return to the original shape. When the user releases his orher hands from the operation button 28, the center of the operationbutton 28 is returned to the center position P by restoring force of thecoil spring 32.

The cursor-moving switch 21, as shown in FIG. 9(B), is provided with theoptical devices 31 and the shield disk 28 a attached to the operationbutton 28, and each optical axis between light-emitting portion 31 a andlight-receiving portion 31 b of each optical device 31 is keptuninterrupted by the shield disk 28 a, when not used. When the operationbutton 28 is operated to slide, the shield disk 28 a interrupts theoptical axis between the light-emitting portion 31 a and thelight-receiving portion 31 b of the optical device 31 in which directionthe operation button 28 slides, and the interrupted signal in theoptical device 31 is transmitted to an input circuit included in thecontroller 24 through the cable 25. To stop the cursor when the user'shand or finger is laid on the operation button 28, the operation button28 may be slid back in the opposite direction to enable the optical axisbetween the light-emitting portion 31 a and the light-receiving portion31 b of the optical device 31 to pass through. If the user's hand isreleased from the operation button 28 at a position where the operationbutton 28 has been slid, the operation button 28 is forced back to thecenter by the coil spring 32, thereby enabling all the lights betweenfour respective light-emitting portions 31 a and four light-receivingportions 31 b to pass therebetween to stop the cursor.

An operating stroke required to move the cursor is determined by thedifference d1 between the radius of the shield disk 28 a and thedistance from the center position P to each optical axis of the opticaldevice 31. In the preferred embodiment, the operation stroke is 0.75 mmand the compression to operate is about 10 grams, then a very littlemomentum is necessary for operation.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram to explain a detecting method for detecting amoving direction and a moving distance inputted through thecursor-moving switch 21 and a click signal inputted through the clickingswitch 22. As described above, the clicking switch 22 has the touchswitch, utilizing induced voltage by commercial power supply. When theuser's hand or finger touches electrode 22 a of the clicking switch 22,the click signal is detected by a processing circuit 24-2 through aninput circuit 24-1 in the controller 24, then converted to the standardinterface signals for personal computers to be transmitted to a personalcomputer via an output circuit 24-3 and the cable 27.

The processing circuit 24-2 determines the direction and distance of thecursor to move by judging an interrupted signal of any optical axis ofthe four optical devices 31-1 to 31-4 which are located above, to theright, below, and to the left. For example, when an interruption of theoptical axis in the optical device 31-1, the cursor moves upwards. Whenboth axes of the upper optical device 31-1 and the right optical deviceare interrupted at the same time, the cursor moves in an obliquedirection of above and right. The cursor keeps moving while an opticalaxis is being interrupted. When the interruption of the optical axis isremoved, the cursor stops moving. The direction and distance of themovement determined by the processing circuit 24-2 is converted to thestandard interface signals for personal computers, then transmitted to apersonal computer through the output circuit 24-3 and the cable 27.

Moving speed of the cursor is determined by the processing circuit 24-2,and the cursor keeps moving in the same direction at an uniform speed orat a changing speed such as an accelerating speed while an interruptionfor the optical axis is being held.

FIG. 12 explains one embodiment of interface between the clicking switch22 and the input circuit 24-1. The clicking switch 22 is band-shaped andprovided with cloth, an insulator. The electrode 22 a attached to theoutside of the clicking switch 22 is connected to an input terminal withhigh impedance through a pull-up resister, for example a C-MOS gatecircuit, in the input circuit 24-1. When the user's hand or fingertouches the electrode 22 a, an induced voltage caused between the groundand the electrode by the commercial power supply can be detected.

FIG. 13(A) explains another embodiment of interface between the clickingswitch 22 and the input circuit 24-1 The clicking switch 22 isband-shaped and provided with cloth, an insulator. The electrode 22 aattached to the outside of the clicking switch 22 is connected to aninput terminal with high impedance through a pull-up resister, forexample, a C-MOS gate circuit in the input circuit 24-1. An electrode 22b attached to the inside of the clicking switch 22 is connected to 0Vvia a resister in the input circuit 24-1.

FIG. 13(B) illustrates the clicking switch 22, shown in FIG. 13 (A),wore on a finger. The inner electrode 22 b is always in contact with thefinger. When the outer electrode 22 a is touched by another finger, theelectrodes 22 a and 22 b establishes a closed loop through internalresistance R of the fingers and hand, thereby decreasing the inputterminal voltage of the high impedance input circuit and allowing thevoltage to be detected as a click signal. This embodiment may beeffectively applied to a detecting means for sensitively detecting aclick in a worse condition, for example, a battery driven personalcomputer where a good induced voltage by commercial power supply may notoccur.

FIG. 13(C) explains another embodiment of interface between anotherclicking switch 33 and controller 24. To the input circuit 24-1 as shownin FIG. 13(A), a variety of clicking switches 33, such as a conventionalmicro switch, a respiration switch operated by aspiration or expirationwith mouth on, a pressure-sensitive switch operable with foot, elbowetc. on are connected, so that a click operation may be easily carriedout by other motor functions other than finger function.

FIG. 14 depicts another embodiment of the pointing device according tothe present invention, which is an integration of the cursor-movingswitch 21 and the controller 24 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 14(A) is anoutside view of the embodiment. Reference numeral 34 depicts a flatcursor-moving switch including controller function, which is anintegration of the cursor-moving switch 21 and the controller 24 shownin FIG. 7. Numeral 28 is an operation button for moving the cursor,numeral 22 shows band-shaped clicking switch having the electrode 22 ato detect a touch by hand or finger, numeral 26 is a cable to connectthe clicking switch 22 to the cursor-moving switch 34 includingcontroller function therein, reference numeral 27 is a cable to connectthe cursor-moving switch 34 including controller function therein to amouse-connecting terminal of a personal computer, and numeral 23 depictsa detachable cloth sheet which is attached to the rear of thecursor-moving switch 34 and spread on the place where the cursor-movingswitch is operated to enable the installation of the cursor-movingswitch on a place other than a flat surface, as needed.

FIG. 14(B) is a block diagram showing a circuit constitution of apointing device as in FIG. 14(A), and shows an integration of thecursor-moving switch 21 and the controller 24 shown in FIG. 11.Comparing with the constitutional circuit elements as shown FIG. 11, thediagram of FIG. 14(B) is the same as that of FIG., 11 except that itdoes not contain the cable 25 to connect the cursor-moving switch 21 tothe controller 24. This embodiment is directed to minimize the wholedevice in size and to decrease the number of the constitutional elementsby integrating the controller into the cursor-moving switch with highdensity assembling while keeping the shape of the cursor-moving switchflat.

As described above, the present invention realizes a pointing devicecomprised of:

a flat cursor-moving switch for moving a cursor,

a band-shaped clicking switch for making a right click and a left click,

a detachable cloth sheet which is attached to the rear of thecursor-moving switch and spread on the place where the cursor-movingswitch is operated to enable the installation of the cursor-movingswitch on a place other than a flat surface, as needed,

a controller which measures the direction and distance of the movementof the cursor made by the operation of the cursor-moving switch, detectsthe click made by the operation of the clicking switch, and transmitsthe data thereon; and,

cables and connectors with which the controller, the switches and apersonal computer are connected to each other;

wherein the cursor-moving switch has a structure in which the operationelectrode is automatically returned to the center when not used, therebyproviding the following advantages:

(a) The cursor-moving switch may be operated with a palm at a level.

(b) Operation may be carried out not only by one hand but also by anybody portion that is movable.

(c) A pointing device according to the present invention may be used bya disabled or crippled person with limited motor function in hands orfingers at his or her most favorable position.

(d) The pointing device does not require any large service space orplace and is operable sitting in a wheel chair or lying in bed.

(e) The cursor-moving switch and the clicking switch are operable with avery little momentum.

(f) In addition to the band-shaped clicking switch according to thepresent invention, a variety of switches such as a respiration switch, apressure sensitive switch may be applicable as clicking switches,thereby allowing the user to choose the most preferable operation methodaccording to his or her motor function.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pointing device comprising: a flatcursor-moving switch for moving a cursor; a cloth sheet which isattached to the rear of the cursor-moving switch and spread on a placewhere a lying operator's hand or finger is laid on to install thecursor-moving switch to be operated on a rugged, irregular or non flatsurface; a band-shaped clicking switch provided at the band with anelectrode for making a right click and a left click and provided atoverlapping portion of the band with a detachable fastening memberadjustable in size according to the size of wearing portion; acontroller which measures the direction and distance of the movement ofthe cursor made by the operation of the cursor-moving switch, detectsthe click made by the operation of the clicking switch, and transmitsthe data to a personal computer; and cables and connectors with whichthe controller, the switches and the personal computer are connected toeach other, wherein cursor-moving switch has a structure in which anoperation button is automatically returned to the center position whenthe cursor-moving switch is not in use.
 2. The pointing device asrecited in claim 1, wherein the cloth sheet is detachable from thecursor-moving switch.
 3. The pointing device as recited in claim 1 or 2further comprising a relay box between the clicking switch and thecontroller, thereby allowing a variety of switches such as a respirationswitch, a pressure sensitive switch and the like to be used in additionto the clicking switch.
 4. The pointing device as recited in claim 1 or2, wherein the cursor-moving switch comprises: a flat substrate; aninput electrode disposed on upper surface of the substrate; an operationelectrode horizontally slidable on the surface of the input electrode;direction electrodes opposingly disposed at two orthogonal axes on thesubstrate; and an elastic member for keeping the center of the operationelectrode at the crossing position of the two orthogonal axes, whereinthe operation electrode is automatically returned by the elastic memberto its center position when not used.
 5. The pointing device as recitedin claim 1 or 2, wherein the cursor-moving switch comprises: a flatsubstrate; an input electrode disposed on upper surface of thesubstrate; an operation electrode horizontally slidable on the surfaceof the input electrode; direction electrodes opposingly disposed at twoorthogonal axes on the substrate; and an elastic member for keeping thecenter of the operation electrode at the crossing position of the twoorthogonal axes, wherein the elastic member is made of a flat volutespring, its periphery is fixed at the substrate, and its center portionis engaged with the center of the operation electrode.
 6. The pointingdevice as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cursor-moving switchcomprises: a flat base plate: an operation button disposed on the uppersurface of the base plate, the operation button having a shield diskhorizontally movable; optical devices to detect operation-direction fordetecting interrupted signal of optical axis by the shield disk, theoptical devices being symmetrically disposed at two orthogonal axes onthe base plate; and an elastic member for keeping the center of theoperation button at the crossing position of the two orthogonal axes,wherein the operation button is automatically returned to its centerposition when not used.
 7. The pointing device as recited in claim 1 or2, wherein the cursor-moving switch comprises: a flat base plate: anoperation button disposed on the upper surface of the base plate, theoperation button having a shield disk horizontally movable; opticaldevices to detect operation-direction for detecting interrupted signalof optical axis by the shield disk, the optical devices beingsymmetrically disposed at two orthogonal axes on the base plate; and anelastic member for keeping the center of the operation button at thecrossing position of the two orthogonal axes, wherein the elastic memberis made of a coil spring, its one end is fixed at the base plate, andthe other end is engaged with the center of the operation button.